I Want To Be a Vessel For Honor

I always enjoy learning how to do new things. Over the past few days, I have been debating over what new hobby I am ready to take up. I've thought about taking a cake decorating class, a pottery class, or even scrapbooking. All of these things involve taking something from scratch and making a brand new creation--something beautiful, wonderful, and useful.

You know...our relationship with Christ is oh so very similar to these crafty hobbies! We are His clay and He is our Master Potter! We should desire to be molded and shaped by God--to be used by Him. He is so ready to turn us into a vessel of honor!

Let's take a look at cake decorating. We add beautiful colors and designs, putting our special touches on it to make it unique. Even when it doesn't turn out like we want it to on the outside...it can still be used. I mean...cake icing tastes yummy regardless of the design, right?

Well, God is ready to add His special touches to each and every one of you! He's ready to add His love, His hope, His blessings...and when He gets done, He is ready to pour you out to quench a thirsty world!

Even on the days when you feel broken and empty (just like the cake that didn't turn out like you wanted), God can still use you--just as long as you are firmly held in His grasp. He chose each of you because you have seen your own brokenness and have given every shattered piece to Him.

Let God mold you. Let Him fill you up. Let Him hold you. Let Him pour out His blessings through you.

I am unsure at this point which project I am going to pursue...but I am determined that in the end, I will have created something beautiful and useful. When God is done with each of us, we will be His beautiful creation as well. We will be able to fully experience the overflowing joys of being His vessel of honor!

"If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work."-2 Timothy 2:21

Stay tuned...

B

Inspired by "The Hunger Games"...

Okay, so with the semester ending and Summer school not starting until the first week of June, I found myself at a need for a good read. I saw the movie The Hunger Games back when it first came out, but I hadn't got around to reading the series just yet. I picked up the first book on Monday, finished it in 2 days, and have already purchased and began the second book! There's just something exciting about reading a good adventure book packed with action!

I am such a nerd sometimes due to the fact that I try to relate to each of the characters as much as possible--sometimes even pretending that I am the character right in the middle of the story.

In this case, it was Katniss Everdeen that I felt particularly attached to. I worried as she went to battle. I felt sympathy as she experienced hunger and lonliness. And I silently cheered her on all the way to victory.

Isn't our own life crazy similar to that of The Hunger Games? I mean, not in the same sense that we are stranded alone in the woods left to "fight to the death." But it is similar in the same fact that we are in constant battle with the world and as Christians, we are all striving to receive our eternal reward.

What does God say about being alone? "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age."-Matthew 28:20
Just like Katniss felt overwhelmingly lonely, we often feel the exact same way. But the awesome thing is...God is with us wherever we are. He is the friend who walks in when the world walks out.

What does God say about life's battles? "For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."-Deuteronomy 20:4
Unlike The Hunger Games, our fight is not against flesh and blood, but it is against evil forces.

When you find yourself in the midst of a war, do not be afraid. Call on Him in prayer and allow Him to deliver you.

We don't need a spear, a bow and arrow, or a sling-shot to fight our battles here on earth. We have the Lord Jesus Christ as our shield of protection, and He is always victorious! Sometimes He will lead you to shelter for safety and restoration. Other times He may ask you to join Him on the front line in the heat of the battle.

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."-Psalm 32:7

My challenge for you today: Keep your eye on the prize! And like I always say--the war is fought and WON on your knees!

Stay tuned...

B

Going to the Chapel...& We're Gonna Get Married

I was a bridesmaid in a good friend's wedding this past weekend. I had almost forgotten all of the hard work, dedication, and effort that goes into preparing for a wedding! Needless to say, I was reminded. The hair, make-up, the dress, decorations, etc.--all very time consuming, yet all so very worth it!

I will freely admit that I spend a few days daydreaming about my own wedding day--hoping that everything is absolutely perfect in every single way.

So of course all of my thinking and daydreaming just led me to more thinking and daydreaming...

We are God's beautiful bride! No wedding celebration on earth can compare to the celebration we will one day share with Him on that amazing day in heaven!

Every bride prepares for her earthly wedding by doing all she can to be her absolute best. The bridesmaids, friends, and family members of the bride work so hard to make everything perfect before she walks down the aisle to meet her bridegroom.

The Lord abolve is our heavenly Bridegroom, and He has already made all of the wedding preparations for us. How great?!

Our life may sometimes seem anything but perfect, but it is so awesome that on that glorious day, He will present each one of us as being spotless and blamesless! I love that!

He simply asks that we let our hearts be His. He wants us to let His mercy and love be the sweet music that fills the sanctuary.

I get so excited thinking about being clothed in the beautiful gown of God's glory on that special day!

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."-Revelation 19:7

Stay tuned...

B

Spring-Cleaning

Well, it’s official—I received the keys to my new house yesterday evening! It has been such an exciting time, but it is truly amazing at the amount of “stuff” you can accumulate over the years!

I am using the move as an opportunity to clear up and clean out a lot of my belongings. It’s been so much fun going through all of the memories though—Old pictures…cards…letters…and such. Some of these memories are still very much a part of my life, yet some have simply been left in the past. It’s sad sometimes how people can come in and out of your life so quickly. Sometimes it makes sense and other times, it just hurts.


I got to thinking…I think God does a little “Spring-cleaning” as well. In order for us to truly walk the path that God has for us, God has to get rid of some of that “stuff” we crowd into our lives. This doesn’t just apply to people either. Think of the dreams and goals you had for your life a year ago. Are they the same goals you have today? Sometimes life works out a little differently than we imagined.


Just like it may be a little difficult to throw away some of those special keepsakes when we clean, it may also be hard to let go of the things and people that WE feel are important in our lives.


I have come to realize that God has a time and a plan for everything! He may be ready to clear out things in your life before you are ready to. There may be certain relationships, priorities, activities, etc. that God is telling you to let go of at this very moment, and you are doing your very best to hang on for dear life. Maybe if we get rid of the “old,” it will allow us to fill that extra space with something or someone to help us grow closer to God!


Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…”


I challenge you today to ask God to help you as you enter the next season of your life. Ask Him to guide you to know what to hang on to and what to let go of. I assure you that He won’t ask you to get rid of something that He won’t replace with something even BETTER!


Stay tuned…

B

Reality Check

So…you could say that this week has been a bit of a reality check for me. To catch you up on my life, I have been house hunting over the past few weeks. I decided since I was becoming a “big girl,” it was time to find a place of my own. I did not know that it would be so mentally and physically exhausting! Over the past week, I worked 8-5pm followed by at least 2 hours of touring possible houses. On top of that, finals are rapidly approaching. I have been trying to put the finishing touches on all of my research papers and projects while finding the time to study for my final exams. I will admit that one evening this week I even had a little “pity party” for myself and cried.


About halfway through this week, I realized that I hadn’t been spending time in God’s word or praying like I know I should. I was under so much stress, and didn’t even stop and ask Him for the help I needed. I was relying strictly on myself to get me through these stressful situations and trying to give myself all of the credit when I marked something off of my to-do list.


When I wasn’t getting much accomplished, God spoke directly to me. I’ll admit that it hit me like a ton of bricks. He said, “Let me have your day.” I am one of those girls that have an agenda set up for the entire week before the week even begins. What I learned the hard way this week is that God wants us to give back to Him all of our scheduled plans for today and tomorrow. He is beyond ready to intervene with something special!


This whole time I was trying to rely on my strength. I was doing things my own way and on my own time. Isaiah 48:17 says, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”


God knows what is best for you and me! How awesome…and comforting! He can make a way when there is no way, and His hand is at work in everything around us! His plan is perfect…and He deserves all of the credit!


Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”


Needless to say, when I put my faith and trusted in Him, He came through in more ways than I could have ever done by myself! For one, He led me straight to the absolute perfect house for me! I am beyond excited to be moving in this Monday!


He is always there and ready to help. He is patiently waiting to give each of us the true desires of our hearts when we call out to Him.


My challenge for you today: Give Him your agenda! I assure you that He will turn it from ordinary to extraordinary! And when He does…give the credit where credit is due!


Stay tuned…

B

Love Is Not a Game

My boyfriend has 2 nieces (ages 5 and 9). It is so cute, because each time I see them and ask who their boyfriend is, I get a different answer. I look back to my own elementary years, and it was not uncommon to swap so called "boyfriends" every single week! Ohhh when life was that simple...

Now that I am a college graduate, a current graduate student, and presently in a stable 2-year relationship, I have come to the conclusion: LOVE IS NOT A GAME--it is a gift!

Ladies, I ask you to do this...reflect on your current relationships. Who are you allowing to take part in your private world? Now ask yourself this question...Do they draw you closer to God, or do they weaken your faith and pull you away from Him?

God considers your heart to be priceless. He gave His life so that you can be free! God has so many wonderful and amazing plans for your life. When you get involved with those who do not sincerely care for your heart and constantly play those "relational games," you miss out on what God has in store for you.

I've been there. We all have, and it's never easy. We find ourselves in a relationship that we know deep down is simply no good for us. It's hard, and it hurts. But God is patiently waiting to give you the true desires of your precious heart if you will be willing to let go of it all.

I ask you to take note of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. It says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

I challenge each of you today to let go of those who harm you, and hold on to your Heavenly Father instead. He will surely open your eyes to see what a real and lasting relationship is meant to be!

Stay tuned...

B

What's so important about PRAYER?

Oh what's the big deal about PRAYER? I mean...the Bible tell us to pray--but we don't. Who has time for that these days? Isn't it optional? Prayer has to be outdated. I'd rather leave praying up to my preacher. I've been getting along pretty well without it. So in that case, prayer must be a "last-minute emergency" type thing. Right???

WRONG!

What happened to saying our prayers every night? What happened to blessing each meal before we ate? How did we so easily get away from the realization of the power of prayer?

Prayer isn't a requirement or a job; it is a privilege! God gives each of us the ability to call on Him! John 14:14 says, "You may ask anything in My name, and I will do it!"

God tell us that if we have the faith of just a tiny mustard seed, then we have the power to move mountains! All we have to do is call on Him by faith, and know that He will answer.

God knows each and every little thing going on in your life today. He is already highly aware of your every thought, your every choice, and your every move. He knows what makes you sad, happy, angry, anxious, and tired. He is patiently waiting for you to turn to Him, and tell Him all about it. He's ready to help you through it!

I heard a song on the way to work this morning and the lyrics went something like this: "Stand tall and remember what He said, I won't give you more than you can take. I might let you bend, but I won't let you break. I will never let you go!"

Prayer is our path to the exciting adventure of building a wonderful relationship with our Savior. God's ear is truly Divine. Talk to Him. Trust Him. Have faith in Him.

One of my favorite quotes says, "When life gets too hard to stand...KNEEL!" It is no doubt that the spiritual battle is fought-and won-on our knees!

God listens to you. He will answer you.

Stay tuned...

B